Balanced steam-valve.



A. G. S. LEOPOLD.;

,1911: 1,097,178. PatentedMay19,1914.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR C. S. LEOPOLD, OF PERRY TOWNSHIP, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OHIO, AS- SIGN OR OF ONE-HALF T0 PERRY A. BROWN, 01 PERRY TOWNSHIP, OHIO.

BALANCED STEAM- VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 12, 1911.

Patented May 19, 1914. Serial No. 654,206.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR C. S. Lno- POLD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Perry township, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Balanced Steam-Valves, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a balanced steamvalve. Vhile said valve is more especially and directly intended and designed for service on traction-engines and locomotives generally, it can also be used with equal advantage on any class of engines employing steam as an actuating power.

Some of the principal objects of my in vention consist in providing a steam-valve, the construction of which, as well as the connecting parts, being such that it is so thoroughly balanced that all friction is reduced to a minimum amount; and yet dispensing with all objectionable shields or similar devices, which interfere with the free and uninterrupted action and passage of the steam and involve complication and liability of derangement. Also to provide said valve with a means for the escape. of any compressed steam and air. Also, to provide a steam valve the construction of which is such that it will be more sensitive and 'operate with more case; have a quicker action when opening and closing the steam passages or ports; will require less motion of the valve gear to actuate said "valve; thereby creating more power and becoming more effective generally. Further objects being to provide a valve as above referred to, that is quite simple in construction; composedof few parts; will seldom if ever need any repairs; and one which can be manufactured at a minimum cost.

This invention consists essentially, referring briefly and in general terms to the device, of the very peculiar construction, arrangement and combination of the various mechanical parts or elements, all of which will hereinafter be elaborately described in detail and set forth in the subjoined claims in accordance with the statutes in such cases made and provided therefor.

Referring to the accompanying drawings constituting a formal part of this specification, and illustrating one form of construction for carrying out the objects and principles of my invention, and wherein the same letters of reference are utilized to indicate or point out the same parts wherever occurring throughoutthe several views Figure 1, is a perspective view of the valve-chest within which is inclosed the balanced "alve and its connecting parts :also the crank to which is to be connected the valve gear; Fig. 2, is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of same; Fig. 3, is a cross sectional View on line w-w of Fig. 2,looking in direction indicated by the arrows; Fig. 4, is a plan View of end of the valve showing the exhaust pocket; Fig. 5, is a cross sectional view on line yy of Fig. 2,- looking in direction indicated by the arrows; with valve in position closing opposite steam passage or port from that shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In describing my said invention specifically, and referring in detail to the various mechanical parts or features of construction which in combination make up the device,as pointed out in the drawings by means of the reference characters as aforesaid :A, refers to the steam or valve-chest, which in practice is intended to be cast integral with the cylinder of the engine and forms a part thereof; but as my invention has only to do with the valve, said valve chest is here shown as broken away from the cylinder. Said valve-chest has steampassages or ports a and a which in practice extend into said cylinder,also an exhaust channel terminating in an exhaust outlet or port c,which is intended to be fitted with an escape pipe not necessary to be here shown ;for the escape and removal of all exhausted or dead steam and particles. Lid D of said valve-chest, is securely connected thereto in any suitable and well known manner by means of bolts and nuts or large screws 6, and is provided with a stufling-box f. Valve chest Ais also provided with an inlet port g, to which is to be fitted a pipe,not necessary to be here shown leading from the boiler;and through which live'steam passes therefrom and enters into the steam chamber or compartment 71. of said valve-chest; in which is located balanced valve K, formed with a large semi-circular port or opening 70 and provided on its end facing or adjacent to steam passages a and a and exhaust channel I; with an exhaust pocket Z:see more particularly Figs. 2 and 4E.

in steam-chamber h Valve K has extending from it valve-stem m, upon which is rigidly mounted pistonhead N, which is provided with ordinary packing rings a. Said piston-head is located in said steam-chamber and a short distance within the hollow of lid D, so as to leave a space between it and the inside face of said lid, which forms a compression-chamber 0', for receiving any steam and air that might perchance be forced therein, in case said packing rings at any time should not work tight by reason of their becoming worn, thereby allowing of leakage; thus said piston-head will counteract the pressure of the steam on the valve, thereby equalize said pressure and balancing said valve, and yet leaving sufficient pressure thereon to always keep said valve properly seated. Said com- PlGSSlOlkCllZtlllbGl is provided with air cock p, of any ordlnary and suitable form of construction; for the escape and ready removal therefrom of any steam or air that may accumulate therein, as aforesaid. Valve-stem m,as fully and clearly shown in Fig. 2, passes through said lid and stuffing-box, extending a suflicient length therebeyond so as to have mounted thereon crank Q, which is held firmly but removably in position by means of key r, while its arm 8 is intended to practice to be equipped with any well known and suitable form of valve gear for actuating said stem and imparting a reverse mot-ion to piston-head N and valve K; thus causing said valve to have an oscillating or rocking motion, and to so rotate until its semi-circular opening or port 70 comes in alinement wit-h and opens the steam passage a-see Fig. 2,when the live steam confined (as heretofore referred)by reason of its pressure will rapidly pass therethrough into the cylinder of the engine operating the piston on the intake stroke, and as said steam returns upon the exhaust stroke of said piston, this exhausted steam will pass back through said steam passage and enter exhaust pocket Z of the valve, passing as dead steam through exhaust-channel b and exhaust outlet 0 and escape and be carried off by the escape pipe or smoke-stack not here shown; while simultaneously with the passing of said dead steam into pocket Z, valve K, as it moves from the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, will gradually close passage a and open open passage a ,as shown in Fig. 5; when the pressure of the constant supply of live steam in chamber it will cause said steam to pass through opening 70 and passage a into the engine cylinder, operating the piston and returning on the exhaust stroke thereof,

and entering exhaust pocket Z of the valve,

and passing off as dead steam through exhaust channel, exhaust outlet, as it did in first instance, while valve K will now begin to reverse and keep repeating the operation.

The valve gear intended-in practice to be employed, may be arranged so as to give said valve a long or short swing in opening and closing passages a and 0. as desired.

Having now described my balanced steam valvein connection with the illustrations,-as new and my invention I claim A valve for engines comprising the following elements,to wit :steam-chest A,

provided with an inlet g, steam passages a and a and exhaust channel 6 having an outlet 0; lid D connected to said steam-chest and having a stufiing-box f; steam chamber .h located within said steam-chest; balanced valve K having an exhaust-pocket Z and located within said steam chamber, and

having a stem m carrying a piston head N, said stem extendlng through said stuffing-box; compression-chamber 0 located between said piston head and said lid; and a crank Q, mounted on said stem.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR G. S. LEOPOLD. Witnesses:

G120. M. LEoPoLn, RoB'r. B. LEOPOLD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

